Head Positioning Device for Athletic Training

ABSTRACT

A head positioning device for athletic training is provided. The device includes an elongated rigid rod with a hand grip attached on one end and a flexible joint attached to the other end to allow for rotational pivoting motion. A head gripping apparatus is attached to the flexible joint and allows a coach or trainer to guide the head position of an athlete learning proper head positioning for a particular athletic activity. The device is unique in that it incorporates active feedback from a coach or trainer to an athlete regarding proper head positioning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/172,881, filed Apr. 9, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright or trade dress protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to athletic training devices, and more specifically, to a head positioning device for athletic training.

2. Description of Related Art

This background information is intended to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art and may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art that is not to be construed as limiting the disclosure of the present application.

Various types of athletic training devices are known in the art and are an effective means to assist an athlete in learning a particular athletic motion (e.g. golf swing, baseball swing, soccer kick or football kick). These particular types of athletic motion are repetitive for an athlete participating in a corresponding sport. The execution of many of these athletic motions can be optimized by proper body and head positioning of the athlete while performing the motion. By practicing proper form, including head positioning, an athlete can refine the athletic motion and achieve overall higher athletic performance.

However, many deficiencies exist with known training devices. First, known devices are configured to assist an athlete in one specific sport or motion without the ability to adapt to a variety of different use applications for various sports and motions. Second, known devices are cumbersome and complicated to set up and expensive, with many different parts and in some cases restrict the athletes movement in other aspects such as chest or leg restraints which can lead to improper form. Third, known devices are intended for individual use such as a golfer practicing his/her swing independently without feedback from a coach or trainer.

Accordingly, although important advances have been made in the field of athletic training devices and particularly for training proper head positioning, many inadequacies still remain.

SUMMARY

The disclosure of the present application addresses the above stated deficiencies with athletic training devices for training proper head positioning during athletic motion. The head positioning athletic training device of the present application is unique when compared with other known devices because it incorporates feedback from a coach or trainer. This allows the athlete to learn from an experienced teacher regarding proper head positioning and form without having to rely on the device itself or individual intuition which may lead to improper form. In addition, the device of the present application provides a simplified design that can be adapted for use in a variety of different sports and motions without restricting motion in other aspects of a particular sport.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a hand grip attached to one end of a rigid rod. A hinge or flexible joint is connected to the other end of the rigid rod. The hinge or flexible joint also connects to an adjustable ergonomic head gripping apparatus and allows rotational pivoting movement between the rigid rod and the head gripping apparatus.

A coach or trainer grips the hand grip and can initiate an axial wrist twisting motion. This motion initiated by the coach or trainer is translated through the rigid rod and hinge or flexible joint to the head gripping apparatus allowing the athlete's head to move in sync with the coach or trainer's input motion to the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth herein. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating various components of a head positioning device for athletic training in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a left side view illustrating the head positioning device for athletic training; and

FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating the head positioning device for athletic training.

While the device of the present application is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the device of the present application are provided herein. It should be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, various implementation-specific decisions are required to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with device-related and business-related constraints, which vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The device in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed inadequacies commonly associated with conventional head positioning devices. Specifically, the head positioning device for athletic training incorporates feedback from an experienced coach or trainer allowing the athlete to learn more effectively. Additionally, the device incorporates a simplified design for easier and less expensive use that can be adapted to assist in a variety of different sports and motions. These and other unique features of the system are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The device should be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Various embodiments of the device may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the various views, FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a head positioning device for athletic training in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The head positioning device 101 includes a hand grip 102, an elongated rigid rod 103 having a grip end 105 and a joint end 106, a flexible joint 121 and an adjustable ergonomic head gripping apparatus 104.

The hand grip 102 is attached to the grip end 105 of the rigid rod 103. The joint end 106 of the rigid rod 103 is attached to the flexible joint 121. The flexible joint 121 is attached to the head gripping apparatus 104. The flexible join 121 is configured to provide rotational pivoting motion between the rigid rod 103 and the head gripping apparatus 104.

In another embodiment, the device 101 may further include a rigid head segment disposed between the flexible joint 121 and the head gripping apparatus 104. The rigid head segment may provide a more advantageous angle between the coach or trainer and the athlete to facilitate teaching of the athletic motion. The flexible join 121 may be attached to the rigid head segment and the rigid head segment attached to the head gripping apparatus 104.

The rigid rod 103 and/or the rigid head segment may be fixed or adjustable in length. The head gripping apparatus 104 is not limited to any particular size, shape or design and may be removable to facilitate the use of a more appropriate apparatus according to a particular application. The head gripping apparatus 104 may be any design appropriate to facilitate the signaling of head position of the athlete allowing the coach of training to provide three dimensional guidance to the athlete's head position. For example, in one embodiment, the head gripping apparatus 104 may be substantially similar to a baseball batting helmet to train a baseball batter.

Various materials may be appropriately incorporated into device 101 according to manufacturing and/or market specifications and constraints. For example, some components may be made from a metal alloy or plastic.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A head positioning device for athletic training, comprising: an elongated rigid rod having a grip end; and a joint end; a hand grip attached to the grip end of the rigid rod and configured to receive a user's hand; an adjustable ergonomic head gripping apparatus; and a flexible joint attached to the joint end of the rigid rod and the head gripping apparatus and configured to allow rotational pivoting movement between the rigid rod and the head gripping apparatus.
 2. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, further comprising a rigid head segment disposed between the flexible joint and the head gripping apparatus.
 3. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 2, where the rigid head segment is adjustable in length.
 4. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, wherein the rigid rod is adjustable in length.
 5. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, wherein the head gripping apparatus is interchangeable.
 6. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, wherein the head gripping apparatus is substantially similar in shape to a baseball batting helmet.
 7. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, wherein the device is made from a metal alloy.
 8. The head positioning device for athletic training of claim 1, wherein the device is made from plastic. 